Improvement in clover-harvesters



l NrTnD STATES PATENT Thron.

IMPROVEMENT IN CLOVER`HARVESTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 54,370, dated May 1,1866.

To all whom it may concern.- 4

Be it known that I, ELIAS KRAMER, of A1- vira, in the county of Unionand State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Machine forGathering the Heads of Glover; and I do hereby declare that thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawing, made part of this specification.

The drawing is an isometrical projection, in which portions of the boxare represented as broken away for the purpose of showing the structureof the machine. Such portions are indicated by dotted lines, as are alsoparts of the machine which would be concealed by other parts.

A is a frame, to which thetongue is attached, and which is supported bytwo wheels, P and P. On this frame is supported the drivers seat B, asshown.

C is a box to carry the heads after being gathered. This box issupported on the outside by a wheel adjustably united to the side of thebox by the slotted plate shown in Fig.. 42 and the slotted brace N, bymeans of which the height of the box is arranged at will. This bracealso serves the purpose of a guard for preventing the Wheel Q, becomingentangled in the clover.

The box is united to the main frame and supported upon the side next tothe frame by the braces D and D. These braces are hinged to the frameand also to the box, so as to permit such freedom of vertical motion asmay be required by irregularities in the surface of the ground, as wellas in adjusting the height of the cutting apparatus in conjunction withthe adjustable wheel Q. These braces are controlled by the lever L,through the cords or chains M and M', which pass over pulleys on thestandards I and If. When the lever is thrown back the brace D at theforward end of the box is raised, and it is lowered by throwing theleverforward. The lever works in conjunction with the notched arch K,and is retained in the notches bystress of the spring L.

Tothe wheel P lis attached the pulley E, over which passes the band F,driving the pulley Gl and communicating motion to the shaft G andreel-arms H.

The frame I2, which is adjustably united to the standard I, restrainsthe lateral movements of the belt and confines it to the pulley E. Thisframe also supports the frictionpulleys H', over and under which thebelt runs.

The pulley Gl is made with a wide face, to permit perfect freedom in theplay of the machine in adapting itself to irregularities of the ground.

The shaft G carries the spirally-arranged shears H H, whichv are made ofmetal, and are intended to operate in conjunction with the iingers 0 incutting the heads of clover. These fingers O are shaped as represented.They are sharpened at the point, so as to penetrate readily the clover,and gradually widen toward the base. At the base circular openingssmaller than the heads to be gathered receive the stalk. The heads areeither pulled oft' in the motion of the machine or are sheared away bythe action of the revolving shears H H. The stalks, leaves, and otherportions of the clover passing through these circular openings are notdisturbed, the heads alone being removed and thrown backinto the body ofthe box.

The shears H are made of sheets of metal having square edges, and arecarried back on the arms of the reel, so that they shall, by therevolution of the reel, press back the heads into the box.

The fingers O are curved on their upper faces to conform to the curve ofa cylinder described by the revolution ofthe reel, and they are soarranged in relation to the spiral shears as that the shears shalloperate against the sides as well as the bases of the lingers.

The spiral shears, in revolving, are so adjusted as that they shallbegin to cut the heads only when they have passed so far between thefingers as that the heads, when severed, will not have space to fallbetween the fingers.

Having fully described the nature of my improvements, what I claim as myinvention, and seek to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The spirally-arranged revolving shears H H, in combination with thefingers O, when curved on their upper faces and having openings at theirbases, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

2. In combina-tion with the wheel Q, adjustably attached to the box C,so as to regulate the height of the cut on the outer side,\the Intestimony. whereof I have signed my brace and guard N, When adjustablyattached name to this specification in the presence of to the axle ofthe wheel Q by a slot and nut, two subscribing Witnesses. y;substantially as and for the purpose set forth. l 3. In combination withthe braces D and D', ELIAS KRAMER' hinged as described, the cords lVIand M and Witnesses: 5 hand-lever L, substantially as and for the pur-BENJAMN BREON, pose set forth. DAV'LD ARTMAN. j. J

